Journey to America

The ship Samuel Fox arrived in New York City on 25 July 1851. Among the passengers were three couples from Baden - Gottlieb Ziebold, his brother, Joseph Ziebold, Maria Magdelna Schnaiter, her sister Caroline Schnaiter, Jacob Steinhauer, and Caroline Ringwald.

The group started their journey in Baden. Gottlieb, Joseph, and Caroline Ringwald lived in Wagenstadt, Herbolzheim, Baden and Maria Magdalena and Caroline Schnaiter were from Broggingen, Herbolzheim, Baden.

Maria Magdalena applied for a passport in Broggingen and it was issued on 10 May 1851. The passport says that she is going to America to visit relatives. It includes a physical description of Maria and her signature at the bottom. 

The passage in the Samuel M Fox was advertised in the Freiburger Zeitung a newspaper in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden on May 17, 1851.  

The three couples traveled to Le Havre, France. Among the belongings they took with them was a trunk that was passed down from Gottlieb through the family to Mina Sennott, his great-grandaughter. 

The ship Samuel M Fox sailed with 622 passengers from Le Havre on 10 June 1851 and the passengers disembarked in New York City 45 days later on 25 July 1851. There was a family story that there was a fire on board the ship and it almost sunk. There was no mention of the fire in the newspapers of the time but according to the New York Herald "The SMF has had a succession of light westerly winds and calms with continual fogs and rain."

On the day the group arrived the weather was very different from the area they came from in Baden, it was "one of the sultriest and most oppressively hot days of the present season. The heavy rain which fell on Thursday night tended in some degree to cool and rarify the atmosphere during the forenoon, but from about three o'clock pm until sunset the suffocating heat was almost beyond endurance. About six o'clock strong symptoms of heavy rain appeared; but the armament soon became cleared of it masses of black clouds and at night the neared blue sky was bespangled with brilliantly shining stars. The highest degree of head indicated by the thermometer yesterday was 85 at 3 o'clock pm yet we have seen the mercury rise above 90 degrees at times when the heat was more endurable and less stifling."

The group found rooms at 103 Liberty Street. Two of the couples married shortly after they arrived at a St. Matthew a German Evangelical Lutheran church in New York City. Gottlieb married Maria Magdalena 5 August 1851. Their marriage certificate survives.  Joseph married Carolina Schnaiter a week later on 12 August 1851.

Shortly after their marriages, the two couples set off for Ross County, Ohio where there cousin, Daniel Ziebold and his wife Maria Katharine Ringwald lived along with other relatives. 

Sources

1. New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957; Samuel M Fox Passenger List, 1851 Arrival; Microfilm M237 roll 102, line 43; List 1002. Ancestry.com <www.ancestry.com>. 
2. Passport of Maria Magdalena Schnaiter. Original is part of the Joseph Rickert family papers in the manuscript collection at Southern Illinois University Special Collections Research Center. 
3. Freiburger Zeitung, vom 17 Mai 1851, digital Freiburger historische Bestande - digital Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat Freiburg <https://fz.ub.uni-freiburg.de/show/fz.cgi?cmd=showpic&ausgabe=02&day=17x&year=1851&month=05&project=3&anzahl=2>
4. New York Herald; "Maritime Intelligence", Morning Edition Friday July 25, 1851 and "City Intellicence", Saturday, July 26, 1851 page 4 col 4. 
5. Marriage Certificate of Gottlieb Ziebold and Maria Magdalena Ziebold, original in the collection of the author. 
6. New York City, Lutheran Church Records, 1834-1854; Ancestry.com <www.ancestry.com>.

Clay Family Tragedy

Henry Clay's son William Henry Clay and his wife Agnes Tucker Clay lost four of their seven children all in the month of November, 1907. The newspapers from Salt Lake City, Utah tell the sad story of the family's tragedy.

Elizabeth, 9 years old, was taken ill. The next day, her brother, Martin, age 12, was stricken. At that time Dr. Gibson believed it to be Scarlet Fever. The home was quarantined by the Board of Health. In the next few days, William F, age 14, became ill followed by the other four children -  Lola, age 16; Josephine, age 13; Rose Ellen, age 10; and John H, age 5.

On November 13, Elizabeth passed away followed by Martin the next day. Both were buried in  Mount Calvary Cemetery on Thursday, November 14. William's illness progressed rapidly and he was totally blind soon afterward and John was losing his eyesight. William died on November 17 and was buried on November 20 in the same cemetery.

The doctors didn't agree on the nature of the illness that the four children succumbed to. Dr. T. C. Gibson brought in three other doctors to consult. It was either Scarlet Fever of a combination of Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria.

The other children were all dangerously ill. "With remarkable heroism the father and mother, almost crazed with grief, are endeavoring to save the lives of the other four children by their tender care."
Death visited the house one last time on November 29th when Lola expired.

The family's situation was compounded by the lack of financial resources. William Henry was a carpenter day laborer. "It has taken all that he could earn to support the large family of small children when all went well. Now that sickness has come, there is none left to provide food and medical assistance. As soon as the place was quarantined, the father, too, was kept at home, and the only revenue of the family was cut off, leaving them dependent on charity." Once the situation was brought to the attention of charitable organizations, they brought relief including nourishment and nursing care.

Fortunately, death didn't visit the remaining children for a long time, Josephine, Rose Ellen and John H all lived to adulthood. William, Agnes and their family suffered terribly during the month of November, 1907. The family remained in the Salt Lake City area for a number of years and eventually relocated to California. 

Sources

1. The Inter-Mountain Republican, "Visited by Death For Fourth Time," Salt Lake City, UT, 30 November 1907, page 8. Newspapers.com.
2. The Salt Lake Herald, "Scarlet Fever Desolates Home," Salt Lake City, UT, 21 November 1907, page 9. Newspapers.com.
3. The Salt Lake City Tribune, "Three Deaths in the Family of W. H. Clay," Salt Lake City, UT, 22 November 1907, page 9. Newspapers.com.
4. Salt Lake Telegram,  "Death Makes 3 Visits to Home," Salt Lake City, UT, 21 November 1907, page 3. Newspapers.com.
5. The Salt Lake Herald-Republican, "Physicians Differ on Deadly Malady," Salt Lake City, UT, 23 November 1907, page 8. Newspapers.com
6. Salt Lake Telegram, "All Around Town," Salt Lake City, UT, 12 November 1907, page 6. Newspapers.com. 
7. The Salt Lake Herald, "Two In One Day," Salt Lake City, UT, 21 November, 1907. Transcribed on memorial of Elizabeth Clay on Find A Grave, 182866590. 
8. Utah Death Registers, 1847-1966, State Files 1907003917, 1907003765, 1907003708, and 1907003690. Ancestry.com. 

William Clay and Elizabeth Mallon Clay Celebrate Golden Wedding Anniversary

Relatives of William Clay and Elizabeth Mallon Clay gathered in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois to help the couple celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary.

Clay Golden Wedding

William and Elizabeth were married 9 April 1864 at Cumberland, Allegany County, MD at St. Patrick's catholic church by Fr. Brennan. Fifty years later another Fr. Brennan officiated at the mass celebrating their Golden Anniversary at St. Rose of Lima parish in Quincy. 

The couple celebrated on Sunday and Monday, April 12-13th, 1914 surrounded by friends and relatives. Among the relatives that attended were six of the couple's eleven children. John Clay of Chicago, Mrs. Steven Struck (Susan) of Quincy, Mrs. John G Kroner (Mary) of Kansas City, Kansas, Frank Clay of Kansas City, Missouri, and Misses Margaret and Anna Clay of Quincy. Their son Joseph of Chicago was unable to attend. The other four children, John, William, Martin and Annory passed away before they reached adulthood. 

The couple had seven grandchildren who all attended - Helen Elizabeth Struck; W. Lloyd Kroner; John W. Clay (son of John G Clay); Lilian, Margaret, Joseph and Mary Clay (children of Joseph Clay).    

Other relatives that attended were Henry Clay, William's brother from Baring, Missouri; Mr. and Mrs. William Smith and Mollie Smith of St. Louis; Mrs. Kate Foster; and Mary Binsbacher of St. Louis. 

The celebrations were covered in the Quincy newspapers of the day. There was a dinner at 4 o'clock on Sunday followed by mass on Monday morning.  William was 75 and Elizabeth was 73. The couple traveled west from Cumberland, Maryland over forty-five years before and settled in Quincy, which was the end of the railroad at the time. 

Sources

1. Quincy Daily Journal, "Marital Happiness Is Lasting." 11 April 1914 page 8; "Mass Celebrated in Honor of Their Golden Wedding", 13 April, 1914; . Digitized on Newspaper Archive of the Quincy Public Library <http://quincylibrary.org/newspaper-archive/>

2.  The Quincy Whig, "To Celebrate Golden Wedding Anniversary," 12 April 1914, page 2. Digitized on Newspaper Archive of the Quincy Public Library <http://quincylibrary.org/newspaper-archive/>

3. Invitation to Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration, copy of original given to the author by James Coakley, great-grandson of William and Elizabeth Mallon Clay.

4. Quincy Daily Herald, "Golden Wedding Mr. and Mrs. Clay." 11 April 1914, page 10.  

5. Clerk of Circuit Court, Allegany County, Maryland; Marriage Register Vol 2, page 22 line 8, Marriage of Willliam Clay and Elizabeth Mallon. Visit to courthouse, September 1991. 

Ruthanna

This blog was created to capture stories about the Sennott and Coakley families. This time I'd like to share the story of one of the family pets, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Ruthanna.

Ruthanna crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. She would have been 16 on April 15th.

In 2008, two good friends, Lesa and Tim worked with Lucky Star Rescue. They were fostering a rescue named Karmen. I had been thinking about getting a dog since I no longer had to travel for work and they introduced us. Karmen was precious and she came to live with me. I started fostering for Lucky Star. A few Cavalier's stayed with Karmen and I and then moved on to their furever homes.

In March, 2009 I got a call asking if I could foster a rescue. Lucky Star had raised money and were going to an auction where hundreds of dogs were being sold. That weekend when I went to pick up my foster, I met Ruthanna.

She had spent the first  almost 7 years of her life as breeding stock in a puppy mill and had been treated very badly.  I don't think she had been out of a cage for any period of time and had health problems including a knee that required surgery. When we got home, Ruthanna stood in a submissive position and didn't move. I would pick her up periodically and carry her outside. Then we'd come back in the house and she would be still again.

After a few days, she started to come out of her shell. Ruthanna was a joy to have around. It didn't take long before I knew she would be a failed foster and was going to stay as part of our family.  I was told that I'd be lucky if she lived a couple of years, she was in such bad shape.

It is amazing what a little love can do, she soaked it up like a sponge. Soon she was exploring the house. She would sit in the chair with me in the evenings while we watched TV or read.

It took her months before she barked the first time. She only barked when she wanted to go out or was hungry. She had an internal clock that was amazing. It went off at 6:30 am and 5:00 pm. She could be very persistent when she was hungry. She relished her food, I think she must have gone hungry many times while she was in the puppy mill.

Neither of the girls knew what to do with toys, but Ruthanna found a little stuffed animal that she used to carry around. She didn't play with it, but carried it around like she would a puppy. It was her constant companion until Bentley came to live with us in 2011. Then her maternal instinct switched to him and I don't think she ever picked up the stuffed toy again. She loved him and mothered him until the day she died. Part of her daily morning ritual was washing his face. 

Bentley taught Ruthanna how to play. He would throw his toys up in the air and carry them around. He was a bundle of energy and she would sit and watch him play. One day after she had been watching him, she went over to a toy he had tired of and started pushing it with her nose and barked at it. It was such fun to watch her blossom into the dog she became.

When we would go for walks, Karmen would take off after a squirrel or a lizard, Ruthanna just sat and watched her. The look on Ruthanna's face said, "Karmen you are never going to catch that squirrel, why do you expend so much energy trying?"

I went home for lunch every day and the three of us would go for a walk. About half way to the corner, Ruthanna would sit down and wait for Karmen and I to walk to the corner and back. Then she would re-join us and we would head home. Later when Rick moved into the neighborhood, she would stop at his house when we walked. After a walk, the girls each got a carrot. Ruthanna would stand with her bottom in the air and munch on her carrot.

Thanks to Dr. Krug at Campbell Village Vet, Ruthanna had her knee surgery. Her health problems persisted through the years but Dr. Krug found a way to overcome them.

Ruthanna found a special place in my Dad's heart. She would get up in the chair with him and sit for hours. She could look so pitiful at times. When I was a little girl I had a doll named Pitiful Pearl, that soon became Ruthanna's nickname.

Ruthanna brought so much love into our house. Both of our world's changed the day she came to live with us. I'm not sure who was rescued, Ruthanna or me. She was so full of unconditional love. Every day when I came home, she was at the door to greet me. When I worked at home she was at my feet under my desk. I love all three of the dogs, each has a different personality and brings so much to our lives. Ruthanna will always have a special place in my heart, she was so gentle and sweet.

 

1912 Oakland

An article in the Waterloo Republican on Wednesday, July 3 1912 read

"George W. Ziebold has received his new car, one of the finest Oaklands, which he purchased from Jobb & Ruch. It is equipped with the latest improvements, electric light, etc."

Edward M. Murphy incorporated the Oakland Motor Car Company in 1904, an offshoot of his Pontiac Buggy Company. In 1908, the Oakland Motor Car Company and the Pontiac Spring and Wagon Works merged together under the Oakland Motor Car Company. "Later in 1908, the first Oaklands went to market. The first Oaklands used an unusual Alanson Brush designed two cylinder vertical engine, which rotated clockwise. The type of engine was common in French cars but not popular with American engineers. The engines worked fine, but the cars did not sell well."

In 1909, Murphy sold 50% interest in the Oakland Motor Car Company to William Durant of General Motors. Oakland also introduced new engines, new body styles and new models that year. In the Summer of 1909 Murphy died and the remaining 50% of the company was sold to General Motors.

In 1932 the Oakland name was dropped and it became the Pontiac Motor Car Company.

Oakland made a number of different models in 1912, there isn't enough information in the newspaper article to know which one George purchased. Here are some examples of adds and pictures of the 1912 cars.

Model "40" Sociable Roadster

Oakland 30 Runabout

1912 Oakland Model 40 Touring - "The Oakland was a quality-built car that offered excellent and reliable transportation, but it came at a price. The Model 40 for 1912 sold for $1,450 in 1912 when one of Henry Ford's Model Ts sold for $690."

Oakland Model 40 1912

1912 Oakland 45

President Taft in 1912 Oakland 45

Sources
1. Waterloo Republican, July 3, 1912.
2. Dragone website https://www.dragoneauctions.com/1912-oakland-model-40-touring
3. American Automobiles http://www.american-automobiles.com/Oakland-1909-1919.html
4. Brass Auto http://www.brassauto.com/brass-pages/oakland-photos.html
5. Detroit Public Library Digital Collection https://digitalcollections.detroitpubliclibrary.org/islandora/search/catch_all_fields_mt%3A%28oakland%2045%29%20OR%20catch_all_fields_et%3A%28oakland%2045%29
6. Heritage Center - Generations of GM History https://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/Oakland_Motor_Car_Company

Academy of the Visitation Graduation 1909

Graduation Invitation - 1909

Visitation Academy, St. Louis, Missouri

Visitation Academy was founded in 1833 in Kaskaskia, Illinois by the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary. The school moved to St. Louis in 1844. In 1909 it was located at Cabanne and Belt Avenues and there were 183 students enrolled.   

The Class of 1909

Top Row: Marion Bishop, Fort Sheridan, Ill.; Marie Sullivan, Geraldine Collum, Maizie Whyte, Georgia Sullivan of St. Louis. 

Second Row: Clara Ziebold, WAterloo, Ill.; Josephine Dickson, St. Louis; Gail Maguire, St. Louis; Susie Cabanne Goode, Honolulu; Maryzita Cahill, Kansas City.

Bottom Row: Norma Weis, St. Louis; Katherine Degnan, Wilburton, Ok.

Articles from the beginning of the school year refer to thirteen students. Celeste Withers is not listed as a graduate in the articles about the commencement exercises.  

Among the graduates in 1909 was Clara Ziebold, class valedictorian. Clara's scrapbook of her final year at Viz is in the collection of Rick Sennott and provided much of the material for this article. 

Clara Ziebold, 1909

The school year ran from September 8, 1908 to June 11, 1909. Class colors were lavender and white and the class flower was Lavender Sweet Peas. The Class yell was "Lavender and White, Lavender and White Class '09 Out of Sight". The class motto was "Amor Vincit Omnia" which means Love Conquers Everything.

Classes attended by the Seniors included French, Philosophy, Latin, Mathematics, Composition and Music, all taught by the sisters. Occasional musicals, recitals, and dances offered a break from daily studies for the young ladies.

Social events memorialized in Clara's scrapbook include dances for Veil Prophet, Halloween, Valentine's Day, an ice cream social, a St. Louis University football game, flower show, concerts and recitals. The girls were inducted into the Alumnae Association of Visitation Academy in April, 1909 at the Annual Re-union.

Botany Class

At the Church 

 The Story Was Rather Sad

The Tennis Fields

A private Graduation ceremony was held on Friday, June 11, 1909, only parents, teachers, students and the graduates were present. "Miss Georgia Sullivan read the class essay. Miss Marian Bishop, who won the certificate in music, played a piano solo, and a very enjoyable musical program was given by the students." Archbishop Glennon made an address and presented the diplomas and medals.

The text of Clara's valedictorian address was preserved in her on hand in the scrapbook:

Dear Sisters and Companions,

The coveted and earned distinction to speak for my class has been bestowed upon me.

In a certain sense I am proud of it, it is sweet. But I feel the throne pierce through the gathered flower. My words must say farewell, must tell the ending of the beautiful period in which our budding lives have been under a training hand.

In the retreat blind of dangers, weak little girls we have grown in the sunshine of culture, we have tried our minds at modest sciences, Have had imparted to them the dogmas of the highest  that of religious have been taught to see and love in every beauty and event something divine have been urged to duty by sweetest advice and soothing consolation and led from sorrow by the hand of love.

Looking back upon it we catch glimpses of blue skies, sunshiny ripples, green hedged fields, pleasant smiles we hear girls laughter and the sisters words of sweet correction

We must leave it! How blessings brighten as they take their flight. But is our happiness doomed to fade in the sphere of womanhood? Are not the influences of the world all our friends? There are dangers in society we are told beware Into this great unknown may that his open before no we must go alone. With what wisdom shall we choose and with what success shall we engage in the activities that there invite our trial? With what strength  shall we resist the fancies that may steer us into unsafe whirlpools of pleasure? We are encouraged; we are warned by loving words and inspired by fondest hearts. They say "let not your will like faulty air ships be whirled astray, but let it keep firm in the God -given course so love that others grief may be your own. Let adversity work in you its glories. Let you sorrows be wreathed with virtues. Character thus trained will mold others and be perfected according to the words given by your alma mater

Failure will be our own achievement. We will try to held this lesson and by being her true daughters praise our Alma Mater. 

Most beloved and revered teachers, gratitude for the sacred treasures you have given us we express for each in the lines of the poet

Though time her bloom is steeling theres still beyond his act the wild flower wreath of feeling the sun beam of the heart

Let us our dear companions, friends remain and you dear sisters, mothers be to us who bid you all a sad, a sad farewell.

After the ceremonies, Mr and Mrs. J. F. Sullivan, parents of Georgia Sullivan, entertained the class at a dance held at the Normandy Club. 

Sources

1. The Girl Graduate, Her Own Book, scrapbook of Clara Ziebold's senior year at Visitation Academy in St Louis, Missouri. Original in collection of Richard Sennott. 

2. "School Days at Visitation Academy", unidentified newspaper clipping from scrapbook of Clara Ziebold.

3. "Notes from Visitation Acadmey, Cabanne", unidentified newspaper clipping from scrapbook of Clara Ziebold.
4. Unidentified newspaper clipping in scrapbook of Clara Ziebold described the commencement exercises. 

Waterloo High School Class of 1906

Graduating Class of 1906

Standing: Carlisle Morrison, Alfred Hess, Harry Sennott
Seated: Hulda Jobusch, Julia Crocker

The commencement exercises were held in the Memorial Opera House in Waterloo, Monroe County, Illinois on Wednesday evening, May 30th, 1906. "The stage had been tastefully decorated with pottages and ferns, and the hall was cozy and cheering." The program included an oration by each of the five graduates. 

The ceremonies opened with musical selections by the Orpheus Orchestra followed by the salutatory by Miss Julia Crocker titled "Public School Education." "Her delivery was splendid, clear and distinct, and her topic showed much care and skill in its preparation. Her reasons for a good education were along sound lines and showed a splendid mastery of her subject."

Miss Emma Quernheim played a musical selection before the next speech, "Kind of Patriotism Necessary Today" by Alfred Hess. "His subject proved a splendid one and was replete with references to many acts in the past events of our country's history. His work showed careful study and proficiency of detail which all admired."

William Bode, Alois Koenigsmark, Herman Oldendorph, and Louis Bode, the Mason Quartette, provided the next musical selection. Carlisle Morrison presented, "The Boss of the Animal Kingdom."  "The beginning of the subject was treated in a scientific manner with enough humor to make a radical departure from the usual commencement exercise, which made a decided hit with the audience. The delivery was splendid throughout."

"The Elements of Success" by Harry Sennott, "was another splendid oration, combining eloquence with deep study and careful preparation. The thread of the discourse was followed closely and in a logical manner which was greatly admired by the audience."

The Orpheus Orchestra returned to the stage and played selections from "The Mikado".

The final speech by the graduates of the day was by the Valedictorian, Hulda Jobusch. "In her topic Memories she paid a touching tribute to Memorial services, and to the many pleasing episodes of the class days, reminiscences of class mates and teachers."

Reverend J.B. House addressed the gathering on "the general subject of education". "The diplomas were then awarded after which the graduates were remembered by many admiring friends, receiving flowers and tokens in profuse abundance."

Diploma of Harry B Sennott

 The commencement exercises were supposed to be followed by the school picnic the next day, however, it was delayed until Friday by heavy rain. The students from all grades from the public school, the Catholic school and the Evangelical school gathered at 9:00 am Friday morning along with their families and friends. They "formed a line of 600, making a beautiful parade, the girls all with parasols and the boys with canes, and all with flags."

The procession marched through the streets to the park where the picnic took place. There was "a generous supply of lemonade" and "various games were indulged in during the day in which the little folks took great delight."  Business was suspended for the day at the request of the Mayor.

Sources

1. "Commencement Exercises", The Waterloo Republican, Wednesday, June 6, 1906, page 1 column 3.

2. "School Close", The Waterloo Republican, Wednesday, May 30, 1906, page 1 column 3.
3. Graduation Program, Waterloo High School, 1906 in the collection of the author. 

4. Picture of Graduating Class 1906 in the collection of the author.
5. "School Picnic", The Waterloo Republican, Wednesday, June 6, 1906, page 1 column 3.
6. Diploma of Harry B Sennott in the collection of the author.